Shield of the Republic Can Taiwan Trust the United States? (w/ Michael Hunzeker)
Nov 17, 2025
Michael Hunzeker, an associate professor and co-author of America's Taiwan Dilemma, shares deep insights on Taiwan's geopolitical landscape. He discusses the crucial role of U.S. credibility in deterring conflict and managing alliances in East Asia. The conversation delves into the implications of Taiwan's semiconductor industry, regional allies' perceptions, and the delicate balance of military posture. Hunzeker also highlights how the Ukraine conflict reshapes Asian security calculations and the potential impact of a more transactional U.S. foreign policy.
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Episode notes
Reputation Versus Reliability
- Reputation and reliability are distinct: reputation is general trust, reliability is alignment of priorities and military capacity.
- Japan sees Taiwan as existential, while Korea and Australia prioritize avoiding entrapment and fast wins.
Why Taiwan Matters Beyond Politics
- Taiwan matters for global norms, economics, semiconductors, and regional strategy simultaneously.
- If Taiwan falls, semiconductor capacity is essentially gone and China gains major strategic advantage.
Allies Read Forces, Not Promises
- Allies judge U.S. reliability by observable force posture, not just words.
- Diverting forces away from the Indo‑Pacific would signal irresoluteness and erode credibility.
